Ischemic heart disease decisions — 2015

The Board has found that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed lung disability had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to his active service. Therefore, service connection for a lung disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has ischemic heart disease. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of his claims.

The Veteran's coronary artery disease results in a workload of 3 METs or less causing dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 60 percent for coronary artery disease is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current heart, bilateral hip, or low back disability associated with her service. As such, she cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinea pedis is characterized by symptoms of crusting on less than one percent of the whole body; dermatitis that covers at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body or exposed areas, or intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period has not been shown.,A heart disorder, sinusitis, back disorder, migraines and GERD were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for coronary artery disease, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a July 1994 rating decision that did not address the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is being remanded for further development to determine if his service in the Republic of Vietnam qualifies him for presumptive exposure to herbicides, which could potentially grant service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity amputations are service connected, and he is entitled to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance. His other claims have been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease due to exposure to Agent Orange, finding no current diagnosis of the condition and thus denying the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis and paralysis from the chest down, prostate and bladder disorders, blood disorder, lung disorder (including emphysema and COPD), hepatitis C, heart disorder, and Meniere's disease. The decision found that these conditions were not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as a retrospective medical opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected cardiovascular disabilities on his employment.

The Veteran's claims of diabetes mellitus and ischemic heart disease were denied as there is no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other service connection criteria met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. Service connection claims for ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, including as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease and/or diabetes mellitus type 2. This includes obtaining missing private treatment records from Dr. E.D., arranging for a VA medical examination, and providing another opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for ischemic heart disease, which he claims is related to his exposure to chemical dioxins while stationed in the Republic of Korea. The VA has not verified this exposure and needs further investigation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as resolving inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his COPD.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 100 percent rating for ASCAD status post MI with hypertensive heart disease and scar with chronic renal insufficiency has been dismissed as the issue is moot due to the death of the Veteran prior to the promulgation of the August 2014 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his heart disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, including those from a recent hospitalization. The case will be reconsidered after these records have been obtained.

The Board found no evidence of service connection for any disability and concluded that the Veteran's death was not caused by a condition related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The cause of death listed on his certificate was coronary occlusion, myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease.